Use of lighter on stage

[Colonel Melkett]

I'm playing Colonel Melkett in a community theatre production of "Dark Comedy" by Peter Shaffer. The script calls for several naked flame devices:
> A lighter that the Colonel uses to look around the place. This is used for tens of seconds three or four times.
> Matches used by Harold Gorringe to provide light in the "dark" room.
> A taper used by Harold Gorringe for the same purpose.

Fire regulations prohibit the use of naked flames on stage.
I THINK the taper is solved, but the matches and l ighter haven't. I've found one possible design online for an LED flame in a Zippo lighter, but with this design, it looks like spinning the wheel and turning the LED on will be "challenging".
Does anyone have any surefire solutions for "lighting" a Zippo lighter, and for "lighting" matches?
Dress rehearsal is on October 6th, so we're somewhat under the gun!
Thanking all responders in advance!

[Branden]

Could the LED always be on and the actor could mask it with his hand once he opens the top?

If you don't get your answer here, I'd check over with the guys at Control Booth. The forum has lots of really tech-savvy people.

http://www.controlbooth.com/

[nick_tochelli]

It could also be as simple as turn the actors upstage. Real people don't always face the same wall after all.

Look at City Theatrical and their flicker candles. They sell them as a chip set outside of the candle form factor. The big trick would be hiding the power supply and switch in a zippo. I've tried to make LED matches before for the same reason but it's hard. Any chance your production would be willing to swap them for more lighters?

I wish when I performed in this show we had the no open flame rule. I was Harrold and I ended up using a bic lighter for the end of the show when he comes back in all irate. Did you know that On that sticker everyone ignores on a lighter contains a warning that these shouldn't be used for more than 30 seconds at a time or it may lead to severe burns? Yeah...I had an imprint of the lighter on my thumb for a couple of months. It's hard to remember your lines as you're searing your flesh.

[BayAreaSM]

I don't know if it's too late to think about this - but is there any chance of getting a permit from the Fire Marshall? In venues I've worked in I show the Fire Marshall the safety precautions that will be taken, where the fire extinguishers are, who will operate them, where the ash cans are, and what the pattern of the flame will be onstage.

Is that a viable option at this point? If not, and everything else seems impossible at this point, just turn away with the match - or hide it with your hand. Keep in mind, the lighting is in reverse - so anything naturally bright would be black. When I performed in this show in high school we had a flicker lighting effect when matches were used - maybe that can help?

[Colonel Melkett]

Thanks for responses to date.
I'm following up the "check with the Fire Marshal" option - not hopeful, but more chance of a change of heart if I actually ask!
Nick - I feel your pain! I tried with a BIC lighter in early rehearsals. I'm not a smoker - I have very little need to handle a lighter; the one I used was "previously enjoyed" so had no warning sticker on. Thank goodness it was a rehearsal!
Ordering/purchasing at this stage is possibly not an option unless they have exactly what I want and they'll ship by personal courier for free! Tech rehearsal is on Monday (Oct 6), Dress on Oct 8, opens Oct 9.
Thanks again for all your suggestions. We might end up just using a flameless Zippo (or a Zippo lighter app on my iPhone!)